Romantic At-Home Valentine's Day Ideas

Whether you’re choosing to stay in, or current COVID-19 restrictions are limiting your options, it’s completely possible to have an intimate, romantic Valentine’s Day right in your house. Some people may even prefer to stay in as many often find Valentine’s Day to be a bit stressful. 

Romantic at-home Valentine’s Day ideas

Spending the day at home means you don’t have to worry about scoring a reservation at your favorite restaurant or getting a good seat at that show you’ve been wanting to see. If you’re spending Valentine’s Day in your house this year, here are some tips to make your day of romance extra special for you and your partner.

Valentine's Day breakfast in bed

Start Valentine’s Day off by waking your sweetheart up with a surprise breakfast in bed. You could make heart shaped pancakes topped with strawberries, served alongside coffee and fresh orange juice or a mimosa. Whatever you choose to make, your partner will likely appreciate the gesture and feel extra special.

Set the mood

To make this special night more romantic than a typical evening, consider setting the mood by altering the atmosphere slightly. You may want to think about the ambiance of your favorite date night restaurant and try to mimic it.

Dimming the lights or swapping out your light bulbs for colorful ones can have a huge effect on the overall mood of your space. Lighting a bunch of candles and decorating with fresh flowers are also incredibly romantic ways to make the space more intimate and inviting for you and your loved one.  

Create a theme

Change things up from your typical evening by creating a fun theme for Valentine’s Day. For example, if you and your partner have been dreaming of a trip to Spain, bring Spain to your home with a romantic, Spanish-themed evening.

Serve paella and sangria for dinner, make a curated playlist filled with Spanish music, and dance the night away with your best attempt at salsa.

Turn off the TV

For some people, they may often have the habit of keeping the TV on while they’re home as background noise even if they aren’t actually watching it. While it may be tempting to keep the TV on during this evening, to ensure things stay romantic, turn it off and keep it off. Instead, make a romantic playlist of love songs to be the soundtrack of your night.

Slow dance together

Just because you’re spending a night at home, doesn’t mean that you can’t go dancing together. Make your time super intimate by slow dancing.

Use that romantic playlist you’ve made for the evening, dim the lights, and turn your living room into a dance floor. Alternatively, you may want to watch a step-by-step tutorial and spend your evening learning a fun new dance together. Getting your body moving is a great way to boost your mood and have a few laughs.

Get dressed up

While we usually opt for our comfiest clothes while we're in our house, there’s no reason you can’t dress to impress instead. These days, we may be spending a lot of extra time inside, and you may not even be able to remember the last time your partner saw you in that dress or suit they love so much.

If you’re spending this time in your house this year, dazzle your partner by getting dressed up as if you were going out for a swanky dinner or a night out on the town.

Cook a romantic dinner together

You can easily order take out, but this Valentine’s Day, consider turning dinner into a fun activity you can do together by cooking a romantic meal instead. If there is a dish you’re craving from your favorite restaurant, you can try to recreate it.

Have dessert

You can even consider adding a sweet ending to your meal by making decadent chocolate lava cakes; this can be incredibly sensual, and some studies show that chocolate may even be an aphrodisiac, making it the perfect treat for a romantic Valentine’s Day.

Skip the dining table

If you’d like to change things up from your everyday dining situation at home, skip the dining table. Consider having a cozy dinner in front of your coffee table instead by removing anything currently on it and replacing them with candles, flowers, and romantic place settings.

You can even set up pillows on the floor for seating so you can cozy up to each other, making things extra intimate.

Exchange thoughtful gifts

This holiday is intended to express your love and affection for that special person in your life. When it comes to gift-giving on this day of love, there tends to be more emphasis on sentiment than on value. It may not be necessary to buy each other extravagant gifts but instead, give gifts that are more sentimental and meaningful.

Discuss gifts beforehand

This V-day, you may want to consider exchanging thoughtful gifts you feel the other will really appreciate. It may help to agree on a budget for the gift to help keep things from potentially getting uncomfortable if one partner decides to get a more expensive gift than the other. 

Create an at-home spa experience

You don’t need to go to a spa to have a romantic spa experience. You can easily create a  of pampering at home. Spend a relaxing evening by lighting some aromatherapy candles, soak in a romantic bubble bath, and take turns spoiling each other with a wonderful massage.

You can even go all out by making DIY face masks or bath bombs. If you’re not feeling crafty, you can simply purchase them at a cosmetics store beforehand.

Outdoor picnic

Changing your dining location from where you normally eat every time can make things fresh and exciting. If you live in a mild climate, surprise your partner with a romantic outdoor picnic in your backyard this holiday.

Decorate for a more romantic environment

Set up a blanket, and cozy pillows, light some candles or hang up string lights, and have an intimate dinner under the stars. If the weather where you live won’t permit an outdoor picnic, you can easily move your picnic inside by candlelight or by the fireplace if you have one.

Play a game

Games aren’t necessarily just for children; adults can absolutely play them, too. Research shows that playing games can be good for your mental health and even improve your relationship. Games can reduce stress, improve coping mechanisms, and even increase attraction as serotonin and other feel-good hormones are released as you laugh, strategize, and play.

Vary the types of games you play

If you’re spending this Valentine’s at home, get a board game, a deck of cards, or play a fun game of truth or dare. You can even find a game geared towards couples filled with deep questions and conversation starters to learn more about each other on a deeper level.

These types of games are not only fun, but they may also have the potential to strengthen your relationship by improving communication and understanding each other better.

Get creative

Consider getting creative with your love this Valentine’s by making art together. Creating art is not only fun, but it can be a great way to bond as a couple, and research shows art can also be a great form of therapy.

Studies show art therapy may reduce stress and improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, and it can also be a great way to express your emotions.

Arts and crafts ideas

You can create a collage or scrapbook of photos and memories you’ve made together, write a song or a poem, take turns drawing each other, or sign up for a virtual couple-themed wine and canvas event together. Whatever you decide to create, you can display your work of art as a reminder of your love for one another.

Cozy up by a fire

For many people, February tends to be a bit chilly, but you can make things romantic and intimate by getting cozy in front of a warm fire. Whether you have a fireplace inside or you choose to build a fire outside, it’s the perfect opportunity to get a little closer and snuggle up.

You may want to make things extra special by sharing a bottle of red wine, sipping on hot chocolate, or toasting marshmallows to make s’mores.

Takeaway 

Whether you choose to stay in or have a night out on the town this Valentine’s Day, there are many ways to make things romantic and celebrate your love for one another. However, Valentine’s may bring on difficult feelings for some individuals. If you’re going through any challenges in your life or in your relationship, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.

Get support with Regain

It may be helpful to talk to someone. Regain is an online therapy platform specializing in couple’s therapy and relationships that may be able to help.

A licensed therapist from Regain can provide tools or guidance that may be able to help you and your partner overcome any challenges you may be facing. Reach out today to talk to someone from the comfort and convenience of your own home.

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Lindsay Burke - LMFT, Lifecoach

Lynn Salsbury - LCSW,MSW

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Carla Noto-Vencill - MA,LMFT


Cynthia Wiedemann - LMFT

Terry Brewer - LCSW

Catherine Wilson - LMHC

Heather Connors - LCSW, PPSC

Joseph Frey - MA, LMFT

Stephen Robinson - MA, LCMHCS, LCAS

Darcy Dobb - LCSW, MHPP

Cheryl Williams - MA

Shannon Caraway - LCSW

Dr. Patrick Casthely - LMHC, MCAP, PHD

Dennis Doke - M.S., LMFT-S, LPC-S

Debra Jenkins - MSW, LCSW-C

Valentine's Day at your house may not sound very special but it definitely can be! There are so many things that you can do to make it special.